Pakistan airspace closure is causing major disruptions in international flight operations, especially for airlines flying between Europe, the Middle East, and India. Several top carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, Swiss Air, and Air France have officially confirmed changes in their flight routes due to rising tensions between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.
Pakistan Airspace Closure Causes Longer Flights and Higher Fuel Costs
Following the Pakistan airspace closure, Lufthansa announced it will avoid flying through Pakistani airspace until further notice. This decision came in response to the increased security risks after the Pahalgam incident. The airline stated that its move aligns with other international carriers like Emirates, Air France, and Swiss Air, all of whom have rerouted flights to bypass Pakistani airspace.
Due to this, flight durations have significantly increased. For example, British Airways flight BA 142 from London to Delhi is now taking an extra hour. Lufthansa flight LH 760 from Frankfurt to New Delhi is also facing nearly an hour of additional travel time. These changes have led to increased fuel consumption and operational costs for airlines.
Emirates Flights to India Also Affected
Emirates flight EK 517 from Dubai to Delhi now takes over 30 extra minutes. The same goes for Emirates flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and other Indian cities, all of which are avoiding Pakistani airspace. This redirection is part of a growing list of flight route changes implemented by international airlines in response to the current situation.
India and Pakistan Impose Airspace Restrictions on Each Other
As tensions escalate, India has closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines. In return, Pakistan has imposed flight restrictions on Indian carriers. Despite these developments, Pakistan has still allowed international airlines to use its airspace, though some airlines like Lufthansa and Air France have voluntarily chosen to avoid it.
British Airways Continues Islamabad Route
Interestingly, British Airways is still operating its Islamabad route with flights BA 2161 and BA 2160. These are up-and-down flights specifically serving the UK-Pakistan corridor, maintaining connectivity despite the broader geopolitical tensions.
